By Johnathan Paoli
Cape Town MMC Jean-Pierre Smith has praised the efforts of firefighters in the metro and province over the festive season, saying that while attending to numerous emergencies, their ability to deliver lifesaving assistance in various forms exemplified their dedication and professionalism.
Smith has commended the team for their tireless efforts, noting that their work extended beyond emergency response to include community support and education.
As the city continued to enhance its fire prevention strategies, the resilience and adaptability of its firefighters remained a cornerstone of public safety.
“Congratulations once more to everyone involved in the births over the past few weeks. It would give me great joy to see at least one of these newborns in a firefighting uniform in the future,” he said.
Over the festive season, firefighters in the Western Cape have faced a demanding workload, responding to a wide range of emergencies while also assisting in the delivery of five babies.
The city’s Fire and Rescue Services attended to 155 medical and trauma incidents, 297 motor vehicle accidents and 124 pedestrian-vehicle accidents in the past three weeks.
The period saw a series of devastating fires, with 11 major incidents reported across informal settlements.
The most destructive occurred in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa on Boxing Day, leaving over 600 people displaced and destroying 297 informal structures.
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said they were working on preventing further incidents.
“We, as the city and the fire and rescue services, have done a lot with education and putting the word out with preventative measures.”
Carelse said that Janine Willemanse, a key figure in the city’s fire prevention initiatives, introduced a QR code system to help residents access emergency preparedness information.
The code was distributed through newspapers and the city’s website, providing guidance on emergency response and preventive actions.
Amidst the chaos, firefighters showcased their versatility by assisting in the delivery of five babies.
Smith confirmed that Mfuleni and Hout Bay fire stations each facilitated two births, while a fifth, a twin, was born during a callout in Gugulethu.
He indicated that the work done by the metro emergency services demonstrated the city’s dedication to not only reacting to disaster but assisting the lives of residents.
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